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OnStar Grows Up—4G LTE for All!

Way back in 1995, GM, Ross Perot's Electronic Data Systems, and Hughes Electronics teamed up to forge the blue button that brought telematics to the masses with OnStar. Now that it's officially reached the age of adulthood, OnStar is upping its game with the largest rollout of automotive 4G LTE connectivity in the industry. Yes, Audi and Chrysler's Uconnect have been offering in-car Wi-Fi, but those systems have relied on the slower 3G network. (the 2015 Audi A3 will employ 4G LTE.) GM plans to make the equipment standard across all passenger models by 2016. Each new car will leave the factory connected to the cloud, but at the point of delivery buyers fearful of Big Brotherly love will have the option to sever the connection completely.The new equipment will function on the AT&T network (Verizon had been the carrier of choice for years). The upgrade brings transmission speeds up to 100 times faster than the previous OnStar 2G connection, and 10 times faster than competitors' 3G systems -- crucial when accessing large files or streaming video or high-quality audio, or when the allowable seven devices are connected to the Wi-Fi link and accessing the Internet. The system works up to 50 feet away, so close convoy vehicles could connect, but password protection keeps freeloaders off your connection.

Benefits relative to "brought-in" telematics connections that rely on Bluetooth or a tethered cellphone connection include a much more powerful and robust antenna connection, the ability to function reliably to summon help after an accident that could eject or damage a loose phone, and a greater ability for the car to upload diagnostic info and download software and firmware upgrades from the cloud.The cars will also come preloaded with apps that include iHeartRadio, Priceline.com, the Weather Channel, NPR, Slacker Radio, TuneIn Radio, Cityseeker, Eventseeker, Glympse, and Kaliki, with more on the way. All can naturally connect through the car's data link, rather than relying on a corded or Bluetooth smartphone link.The plan is to offer the full OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi, emergency assistance, turn-by-turn navigation, RemoteLink mobile app, wireless calling, FamilyLink, monthly diagnostic reports and on-demand diagnostics -- the works -- for free for three months, reverting to free basic service (emergency response, diagnostics, and remote starting) for five years total. After the trial period, customers must pay $29.95 a month for everything but 4G LTE, or $19.95 for just the Safe & Secure package. OnStar subscribers pay $5 more for 4G LTE, or if they ONLY want 4G LTE they can get it for as little as $10 a month. (AT&T customers can add their car as an additional device to include OnStar data in a Mobile Share pooled data plan.) That entry price gets 200MB, and OnStar subscriber/non-subscriber pricing escalates with higher monthly data rates: 1GB ($15/$20), 3GB ($30/$30), 5GB ($50/$50). Going on vacation? You can buy 250 MB/day for $5, and just turn it on during the days the car will be in transit. There's also a yearly 10GB package for $150 ($200 for non-subscribers).Today OnStar claims 7 million subscribers in North America (Mexico is just launching) and China. That's a pretty slim percentage of all the GM OnStar-equipped vehicles that have been built in the last 18 years, but perhaps today's connectivity-uber-alles mentality will boost those stats. See the graphic below for a list of 2015-model-year Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac vehicles that will get 4G LTE.

Just a better way for uncle Sam to track you better. I'm suprised this crap is being allowed to go into vehicles. It's just going to increase everyone's insurance rates, which are elected to go up 35% over next 3 yrs anyway.